428 Mr. J. Scully on the 



Chelidon urbica (Liim.). 



The House-Martin is a summer visitor, and is very com- 

 mon in Gilgit in May and June. A female, shot in Gilgit 

 on the 10th May, agres with many European examples with 

 which I have compared it in the colour of the axillaries and 

 under wing-coverts, and in all other particulars. Length 5*5 

 inches, wing 4'4, tail 2*6, tarsus 0'53, bill from gape 0'5 ; 

 the uropygials 0*8 shorter than the outermost tail-feathers. 

 Major Biddulph does not include this species in his list, but 

 gives the closely allied Chelidon cashmiriensis , which I did 

 not obtain ; the length of the tarsus in his specimen is 

 misprinted 5 for 0"5. 



34. Cypselus pekinensis, Swinhoe. 



This Swift is a summer visitor to Gilgit. It was common 

 in the lower valleys throughout May and the first half of 

 June, but in July and August was only found at elevations 

 of over 9000 feet. Gilgit specimens agree perfectly with the 

 type of Cypselus pekinensis, Swinhoe. This form, as has been 

 often pointed out, differs from the European C. apus in being 

 paler throughout, Avith a markedly paler forehead, more white 

 on the chin and throat, and with a white margin above the 

 anterior part of the eye. The difference is doubtless slight ; 

 but on actual comparison of specimens it is manifest. Many 

 accepted species do not differ in a greater degree; and it 

 seems that a coloration which is constant in such a range as 

 from Pekin to Gilgit is worthy of some notice in our no- 

 menclature. 



35. Caprimulgus unwini, Hume. 



This Goatsucker is only a summer visitor ; it arrives early 

 in May, and is common in the lower valleys at an elevation 

 of about 5000 feet. A specimen obtained by Mr. Blanford 

 at Saigan, on the Persian plateau, and referred by him to C 

 europaus, is identical in colour, markings, and size with Gilgit 

 examples. Caprimulgus umvini is closely allied to C. europceus ; 

 but on comparison of my specimens with a large series of 

 European birds, I find that they differ in being of a paler 

 silvery-grey colour. It seems desirable to distinguish this 



